Villa Del Re | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Dongo

Dongo sits quietly on the western shore of Lake Como, a village where the Alps rise dramatically behind centuries-old stone buildings, and where a six-bedroom luxury villa rental awaits groups seeking both grandeur and genuine seclusion. Villa Del Re commands its own lakefront position here, a neoclassical property that transforms multi-generational gatherings and friend groups into something memorable—the kind of space where twelve people actually want to spend two weeks together.

Inside Villa Del Re

Villa Del Re sleeps 12 guests across 6 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. The architecture speaks immediately: a grand entrance hall with soaring proportions opens onto three separate living spaces, each with distinct character and purpose. The primary living room captures southern light through full-height windows, framing unobstructed views across the water toward the eastern shoreline. The dining room sits adjacent, positioned to enjoy those same vistas while the family gathers. A guest toilet on the ground floor serves visitors exploring the public areas.

The first floor contains five bedrooms. The master suite offers a king-size bed, air-conditioning, an en suite bathroom with both bathtub and WC, and a expansive terrace overlooking the landscaped gardens below—the kind of private outdoor space where morning coffee becomes a ritual. A second king bedroom includes air-conditioning, en suite shower facilities, and a substantial balcony catching morning light. The third king bedroom provides air-conditioning, en suite facilities with both bath and shower options, and its own balcony access. A fourth king bedroom on this floor includes air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom with shower and WC. The twin bedroom—ideal for younger guests or those preferring separate sleeping arrangements—offers air-conditioning, en suite bathroom with bathtub, and balcony access to garden views.

The second floor houses the sixth bedroom: a king-size room with air-conditioning, en suite bathroom featuring bathtub and WC. This floor also contains a games room positioned within the villa’s signature turret—a circular space where the architecture creates an unexpected sense of play and elevation, perfect for billiards, board games, or simply watching weather patterns move across the lake.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds unfold across 10,000 square meters of enclosed gardens—extensive enough that different family groups can occupy separate terraces simultaneously without crossing paths. The heated swimming pool measures 17 meters by 9 meters with depths ranging from 1.5 to 2.2 meters, open seasonally from May through September. Three dedicated changing rooms with shower facilities sit poolside, alongside a living room designed specifically for swimmers and sunbathers. The water temperature is actively maintained, extending the swimming season beyond what the Italian sun alone would provide.

Three distinct changing rooms with showers serve the pool area, allowing guests to transition between water and gardens without trailing through the villa’s interior. Loungers and seating arrangements face the water—not the building—a detail that matters during long afternoon hours. A separate poolside living room functions as command central for swimmers and sunbathers.

Beyond the pool, the gardens present purposeful design: a children’s playhouse sits in one corner, a sandpit in another, swings on a dedicated play zone. Volleyball equipment stays ready, and table tennis tables occupy sheltered areas. The landscape itself—flowerbeds that require genuine maintenance, lawns cut to exact specifications, pergolas creating dappled shade—suggests someone who cares deeply about the grounds rather than merely maintaining them.

A panoramic terrace elevated above the main gardens offers the property’s most dramatic sightlines. From here, the lake stretches across your vision in both directions, the mountains beyond creating backdrop rather than intrusion. A separate dining terrace sits positioned for sunset service, while additional seating clusters allow small groups to break away from the collective.

Perhaps most practically: a private jetty with moorings—one covered, one uncovered—extends into Lake Como itself. Your own boat or a hired vessel can dock steps from the garden, converting the lake from a distant view into an active recreation space. A boathouse protects equipment and provides shelter.

Location: Dongo and the Surrounding Area

Dongo itself contains what you actually need: a local supermarket 400 meters from the villa, a post office, several small restaurants and cafés where locals gather rather than tourists queue. The village has two churches, one constructed more than a thousand years ago, and a monastery housing a documented medieval manuscript collection—real history rather than curated heritage.

The ferry dock sits adjacent to the villa’s grounds, connecting Dongo to the entire lake system. Colico lies 8 kilometers north by water—a journey of twelve minutes—offering restaurants, bars, and the Abbey of San Pietro al Monte, a 10th-century construction positioned on a hillside overlooking both town and water. Bellagio, 6 kilometers south by ferry (or 45 minutes by road), serves as Lake Como’s tourist center, famous specifically for its villa gardens—Villa d’Este and Villa Carlotta offer formal gardens and art collections. The town itself has a pebble beach, market square, and restaurants ranging from casual to Michelin-listed.

Menaggio lies 12 kilometers to the north, positioned on the western shore and known for its beach, windsurfing culture, and a small golf course (Menaggio & Cadenabbia) sitting 30 minutes by car—the nearest course to the villa. Lecco occupies the southeastern corner of the lake, 25 kilometers away, built around the mouth of the Adda River and serving as a cultural center with galleries, restaurants, and regular market days.

Milan—Lombardy’s capital and Italy’s actual fashion hub—sits 95 kilometers to the south, approximately 90 minutes by car via the A9 autoroute. Milan Linate Airport operates 85 kilometers away, providing scheduled service across Europe; Como Airport sits 15 kilometers from Dongo for private aviation.

The geography itself creates opportunity: the Alps rise immediately behind Dongo, creating accessible hiking routes throughout the region. Trails from nearby villages reach 1,500 to 2,000 meters elevation within walking distance. The Swiss border sits 40 kilometers north; daily excursions into the Ticino region reach towns like Lugano (45 kilometers) and the dramatic Valle Verzasca in 90 minutes.

Seasonal timing shapes the experience considerably. May through September provides reliable weather and lake swimming; June-July sees peak tourist density and highest prices. April and October offer pleasant weather with dramatically fewer crowds—locals outnumber visitors in most towns. The winter months (November-March) bring storms and cooler temperatures, though the lake’s surrounding mountains create dramatic cloud photography and silence.

Explore our villas in Italian Lakes region and browse our full collection in Dongo for additional options. For broader destination context, our Italian Lakes travel guide provides seasonal guidance and activity recommendations across the entire region.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families planning week-long or longer stays find Villa Del Re’s space and staff support genuinely functional rather than luxurious-for-its-own-sake. Grandparents, adult children, and grandchildren often occupy separate floors without awkward proximity. Three independent living rooms allow different groups to pursue different activities simultaneously.

Friendship groups—specifically those in their 30s through 60s with active interests—benefit from the boat access, proximity to walking routes, and nearby restaurants where groups can dine without advance booking. The games room and outdoor recreation equipment (volleyball, table tennis) serve actual purposes rather than decoration.

Couples seeking privacy should select one of the first-floor bedrooms with terrace or balcony access; the property easily accommodates shared spaces while maintaining couples’ retreat possibilities. Families with young children utilize the playground equipment, pool with shallow sections, children’s books, and maid service that allows parents occasional breathing room.

Groups planning multi-week stays discover that daily maid service, included chef coordination, and parking for up to ten vehicles eliminate logistical friction. This appeals specifically to groups where financial resources exist but time and patience do not.

Practical Information

Capacity and Layout: Villa Del Re accommodates 12 guests maximum across 6 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, with sleeping arrangements totaling four king beds, one twin bed configuration, and one additional king bed.

Access and Transport: Milan Linate Airport (the closest major international hub) sits 85 kilometers away—approximately 90 minutes by road via the A9 autoroute heading north. Como Airport, 15 kilometers south, handles private aviation and limited regional flights. Ground transfers typically require a rental vehicle or pre-arranged car service; the drive from Milan follows clearly marked routes along the western lake shore.

Nearest Services: A supermarket occupies a location 400 meters from the villa; restaurants and cafés within the village require 500-meter walks; the ferry dock sits at the property’s southern boundary.

What’s Included: Daily maid service, Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the property, air-conditioning in all bedrooms, pool heating (seasonal), bed linens and towels, children’s books and games, board games, and access to the boat moorings and private jetty. Optional chef services involve paying for ingredients and beverages only.

Amenities: Smart television, pool table, table tennis equipment, volleyball net, hairdryers in all bathrooms, mosquito netting in second-floor bedrooms, decorative fireplaces (non-functional), and laundry facilities accessible to villa staff.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Del Re

How many guests does Villa Del Re sleep?

Villa Del Re accommodates 12 guests maximum. The property contains 6 bedrooms: four rooms with king-size beds, one twin bedroom, and one additional king bedroom. All 12 bathrooms are en suite, meaning each bedroom connects to private bathroom facilities. The configuration suits multi-generational families and friend groups equally well.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Del Re in Dongo?

Milan Linate Airport, Italy’s primary international hub, sits 85 kilometers south of Dongo—approximately 90 minutes by car via the A9 autoroute. Como Airport, operated for private aviation and limited commercial service, occupies a position 15 kilometers south of the villa, requiring 25-30 minutes by car. Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, 70 kilometers south, provides budget airline service and requires approximately 80 minutes of driving.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Del Re?

May through September provides reliable swimming weather and consistent sunshine—peak season for lake activities, boat rentals, and restaurant availability. April and October offer pleasant temperatures (15-22°C) with dramatically reduced crowds; many families prefer this shoulder season for exactly that reason. June and July see highest tourist density across the lake region, resulting in crowded towns and peak pricing. November through March brings cooler temperatures, storms, and shorter daylight hours, though the dramatic mountain scenery becomes more pronounced and accommodation prices drop significantly.

Is Villa Del Re suitable for families with children?

Yes—specifically for families with children aged 5+. The heated pool provides safe swimming with depth zones suitable for non-swimmers (1.5 meters) and strong swimmers (2.2 meters); three changing rooms with showers eliminate bathroom bottlenecks. A dedicated playground includes swings, a sandpit, and a playhouse. The enclosed 10,000-square-meter garden prevents accidental lake access. Children’s books and DVDs stock the property. Daily maid service allows parents to hire additional supervision if needed. Pebble beaches in Bellagio (6km by ferry) and Menaggio (12km by car) provide alternatives to the pool. However, toddlers under 4 require constant supervision around the lake boundary despite the gardens’ enclosed design.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Del Re?

Included amenities: daily maid service, Wi-Fi and internet connectivity, bed linens and towels, air-conditioning in all bedrooms, heated swimming pool access (May-September), parking for up to 10 vehicles, access to the private jetty and boat moorings, children’s books and games, board games, and use of all recreational equipment (volleyball net, table tennis tables, pool table). Optional chef services charge only for ingredients and beverages consumed, not preparation fees. Utilities (electricity, water, heating) are included. Pool heating is operational during the published season.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Del Re?

The village of Dongo itself contains local restaurants and cafés within 500-meter walks—establishments where Italian families dine rather than tourist establishments. A supermarket with typical Italian staples sits 400 meters from the property. Colico, 8 kilometers north by water (12 minutes by ferry) or 15 kilometers by car, offers multiple restaurants and a market. Bellagio, 6 kilometers south by ferry or 45 minutes by road, hosts numerous restaurants ranging from casual pizzerias to Michelin-listed establishments (Mistral, Silvio), plus a market square and specialty food shops. Menaggio, 12 kilometers north by car, contains restaurants and a local market. Milan, 95 kilometers south, provides international dining and shopping; the Duomo district and fashion district (Quadrilatero d’Oro) require 90 minutes of driving.